STARTING OVER
Yesterday I got a prequalification letter from the bank that says I’d be approved for a mortage of $250,000. Actually, the mortgage banker said I’d be approved for almost $300,000 but let’s not get carried away. I don’t want to go above the low $200,000 on a purchase. By the time you get done with fees and all, a purchase of $200,000 could wind up being $225,000 or $230,000. I found out yesterday that NYS/NYC impose a “Mortgage Recording Tax” tax of 2.05% on mortgages under $500,000 (www.nyc.gov/html/dof/html/property/property_rec_mortgage.shtml) - just another way for them to collect money. As if there’s not enough I’d be shelling out, I have to go fill the state’s coffers. Bastards! But, there’s no requirement to carry life insurance so that if I drop dead, the mortgage would be paid off. My initial reaction would be to do that but frankly, if I drop dead, let my estate handle it. I have long-term disability but it might be wise to find out about some sort of catastrophic illness. Wonder if I should get an umbrella policy? Probably. Have to talk to Mary about this.
I figure I’m in the catbird seat right now: I don’t have anything to sell, I don’t have to move, and if I can’t get what I want, I don’t need to buy. That sort of puts me in charge. I’d love to have a washer and dryer in the apartment but I’d settle for in the building so I don’t have to go out to do it. I’d love an indoor parking spot but off-street is perfectly acceptable. The building has to have a rule about 80% carpet because I don’t want to live beneath some clodhopper with bare floors. I don’t think any of those are deal-breakers.
I just cleaned the bathroom. Yesterday it struck me how dirty this place is - it needs a thorough cleaning from top to bottom - which is as good a reason to move as any. But I’m really fantasizing about more space. I’d love to have a bedroom with only bedroom furniture and no computer desk or bags of stuff for Sal’s Army taking up space and making it look messy.
I think going to London at Thanksgiving time is out of the question. That’s $2,000 better saved than spent.
Oddly, I’m not too worried about this whole thing. It just feels right. It’s time.
And as for starting over, this morning I decided to put up a pot of gravy (tomato sauce for those of you not from New York and not of Italian heritage) and I burned the garlic. So I had to dump it out, wash the pot and start over. I cooked up some sausage and threw that in. I’ll let it simmer for another few hours—let it get nice and thick. I’ve got some center cut pork cutlets to cook and I think I’ll make a pot of lentil soup. It’s a rainy day. Might as well continue to save money by making lunches and dinners.
